Is sports betting legal in Illinois?

Yes. Illinois legalized online sports betting in June 2019 and launched mobile wagering in June 2020. The initial in-person registration requirement was dropped in 2022, making it fully remote signup. IL is now one of the top 5 US markets by handle.

Which sportsbook is best in Illinois?

FanDuel is the top-rated sportsbook in Illinois for 2025, leading in market share, offering best NFL odds (-108/-109), and no promo code required for its $1,000 welcome offer. BetRivers is a strong local choice given its Rivers Casino Chicago partnership.

Can I bet on Illinois college teams?

No — Illinois prohibits wagering on Illinois-based college teams (Illinois Fighting Illini, Northwestern Wildcats, DePaul, Loyola Chicago, etc.) and any sporting event held in Illinois involving a college team. You can freely bet on out-of-state college sports.

What is the Illinois sports betting tax rate?

Illinois taxes online sports betting revenue at 15% — lower than New York (51%) and Pennsylvania (36%), making IL one of the better-odds states. In 2024, Illinois raised the tax rate for large operators to up to 40%, but most standard books still operate near the 15% tier.

Best Sportsbooks in Illinois 2026 — IL Legal Betting Apps Ranked

Q: How many sportsbooks are legal in Illinois?

As of 2025, approximately 15 sportsbooks are licensed in Illinois, including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, ESPN Bet, BetRivers, PointsBet, and several others tied to Illinois casinos and racetracks.

IL Sportsbooks Ranked for 2025

FanDuel IL

Licensed ILEditor's Pick

$1,000

No Sweat First Bet

FanDuel leads Illinois betting — best NFL odds (-108/-109), largest prop menu for Bears games, and no promo code needed. FanDuel Casino is also available in IL for slots and live dealer on the same account.

Score

-108/-109

NFL Lines

Casino

Integrated

Same day

PayPal

Claim FanDuel IL — $1,000 →

DraftKings IL

Licensed ILBest Props

$200

Guaranteed Bonus

DraftKings is the top choice for Bears and Cubs player prop bettors — 200+ props per game. The Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets bonus (Bet $5 → Get $200) is the best locked offer in Illinois regardless of outcome.

Score

200+

Props/game

Casino

Integrated

DFS

Integrated

Claim DraftKings IL — $200 →

BetRivers IL

Licensed ILChicago Local

$500

2nd Chance Bet

BetRivers is operated by Rush Street Gaming — which runs Rivers Casino Chicago on the north side. The most local IL book with strong ongoing promos and a loyal Chicago customer base.

Score

Rivers

Casino Chicago

iRush

Rewards

Casino

Integrated

Visit BetRivers IL →

BetMGM IL

Licensed ILLargest Bonus

$1,500

Code: PLAYBONUS

BetMGM's SBRMGM gives the highest dollar cap of any IL sportsbook. BetMGM Casino on the same account adds hundreds of slots and table games for IL players.

Score

$1,500

Bonus cap

Casino

Integrated

MGM Rwds

Loyalty

Claim BetMGM IL — PLAYBONUS →

Caesars IL

Licensed ILBest Loyalty

$1,000

Code: ROTODYW

Caesars is tied to Harrah's Joliet in IL. Use ROTODYW for $1,000 protection and earn hotel rewards on every bet placed at Caesars properties across the country.

Score

Joliet

IL partner

ROTODYW

Promo code

Hotel Pts

On bets

Claim Caesars IL — ROTODYW →

What You Can Bet On in IL

✅ NFL — Chicago Bears
✅ NBA — Chicago Bulls
✅ MLB — Cubs, White Sox
✅ NHL — Chicago Blackhawks
✅ MLS — Chicago Fire
✅ College sports (no IL college teams)
✅ UFC, boxing, golf, tennis, soccer

IL Betting Rules

✅ Must be 21+ to bet
✅ Must physically be in Illinois
✅ Remote signup — no in-person required
⚠️ No betting on IL college teams (Illini, Northwestern, etc.)
ℹ️ Tax rate: 15% (raised for large operators in 2024)
ℹ️ Winnings over $600 may need reporting

Illinois Sports Betting FAQs

Yes — Illinois legalized sports betting in June 2019 and launched mobile wagering in June 2020. The in-person registration requirement was dropped in March 2022, so you can sign up from your phone. Illinois is now one of the top 5 US sports betting markets by total handle.

FanDuel leads Illinois for 2025 — best NFL/Bears odds, same-day PayPal withdrawals, and FanDuel Casino integration. For a local Chicago experience, BetRivers (Rivers Casino Chicago) is the top regional pick. DraftKings is best for player props on Bears and Bulls games.

No — Illinois law prohibits wagering on Illinois-based college teams, including the Illinois Fighting Illini, Northwestern Wildcats, DePaul Blue Demons, and Loyola Chicago. You can freely bet on out-of-state college sports like Ohio State, Michigan, and all SEC/Big Ten non-Illinois schools.

Illinois traditionally taxed sportsbooks at 15% on gross gaming revenue — lower than New York (51%) and Pennsylvania (36%). In 2024, Illinois passed legislation that raised rates for high-revenue operators to up to 40%. The exact rate paid by each book depends on their annual revenue tier, but IL bettors generally still get competitive odds.

As of 2025, approximately 15 sportsbooks are licensed in Illinois. Major books include FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, ESPN Bet, BetRivers, and PointsBet, alongside several books tied to IL casinos and racetracks. The market is competitive, which generally results in better promotions for IL bettors.

Best Sportsbooks in
Illinois — 2025

IL Sportsbooks Ranked for 2025

What You Can Bet On in IL

IL Betting Rules

Illinois Sports Betting FAQs

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